england's water companies dumped twice as much into them last year, compared to the year before. how is that allowed?

who or what specifically is responsible — the firms, the bosses, heavy rainfall, privatisation, the regulators. the government? we'll ask campaigner feargal sharkey and the tory mp who's head of the environmental audit select committee. police are looking again at claims made by the conservatives that labour's deputy leader broke electoral law over the sale of her house. last week angela rayner told this programme... it isa it is a nonstory manufactured to try and smear me. nick will bring you the latest. the government has missed its target to reduce the number of autistic people and those with learning disabilities in secure units. we'll talk live to alexis quinn who is autistic and spent three years in such a unit.

she says she was restrained 97 times and forcibly drugged. plus mark urban has been looking into the rise of the far right in rural communities in france and why some are turning to the national rally, formerly the national front. many french thought of this is a far—right party, a racist party, so what they have done is rebrand it, changing the name. and a damning report finds misogyny, sexual discrimination and harassment are still everyday problems forfemale musicians in the uk. we'll ask three women in the industry about their experiences. new figures released by the environment agency show the huge scale of raw sewage being dumped by privatised water companies into rivers and seas across england last year. the spills took place for more than 3.6 million hours — double the year before. here's another figure for you — it's reported that the average water company chief executive was paid

£1.1 million in 2022—23. five of them have given up their bonuses due to pollution issues. water bosses say they will invest billions in upgrading the system but they must be allowd to increase our water bills. releasing sewage into our waters is allowed during exceptional weather to prevent pipe systems becoming overwhelmed. and here's government minister andrew griffith talking to itv earlier. we are discovering more than we ever did before. just 7% of the storm overflows was measured will for 93%, those overflows, there wasn't a measurement and we didn't know was going on. in many ways, slightly good news, i understand that's an order thing to say, but the good news is we understand this problem now and we are tackling it. sewage in our waters has

become an election issue. here's ben on the levels of investment made by water firm into upgrading the old systems. last year, a lot of sewage went into england's rivers. according to the environment agency there were 3.6 million hours of such spills in 2023, compared to 1.75 million hours in 2002. —— million hours in 2020. it's not necessarily illegal for water companies to allow sewage to flow into our rivers if the alternative is for pipe systems to be overwhelmed by heavy rain. data shows that every year, billions of litres of effluent flow into the river thames from this thames water site in west london, but for those kinds of releases to be justified, it has to have been heavily raining. there was very wet weather in the uk in 2023. it was the sixth wettest on record, according to the met office, but nonetheless, there are questions about the legal compliance of english water companies.

evidence collected by the bbc last year suggests three major water companies discharged sewage hundreds of times in 2022 on days when it was not raining. and the environment agency's conducting its largest criminal investigation into potential widespread regulatory noncompliance by water companies. hence the ministerial warnings of water company bosses�* bonuses being potentially withheld. there is a wider relevant financial context. at privatisation in 1989, the water companies had no debt. now they have collective borrowings of £60 billion and there is a particular problem at thames water, which has £18 billion of debt which it's struggling to service. some analysts argue this has contributed to underinvestment in new pipes and sewers by the companies — investment that would reduce the number of leaks and overflows. as this shows, their total infrastructure investment did increase after privatisation. yet so did the amount of cash being taken out of the companies to pay the shareholders.

shareholder dividends paid since 1989, at £72 billion, is equivalent to almost half of total expenditure on capital infastructure over the period. clearly there hasn't been enough investment in infrastructure. what we are seeing with the sewage spills show that we need much more investment in our sewage systems to have a system that is fit for purpose for our country. the industry says all that is changing, and work ended this week on a new £45 billion supersewer in london, designed to reduce overspills into the thames by storing it until it can be treated. back in 2014, there was a lot of excess rainfall and flooding, and in that year, 65 million tonnes of sewage went into the river thames. now, when this tunnel is fully commissioned, that would have been 2.5 million. so go from 65 million to 2.5 million, so absolutely dramatic reduction. also, we should eliminate pretty

much entirely sewage derived litter from the tidal thames, because if you just go and walk along some parts of the river, the amount of sewage litter — and i won't go into detail, but you can use your imagination — that is there is revolting. but a massive project like this has a cost for households — an extra £25 a year on londoners water bills. experts agree that bills will have to rise if we want cleaner waterways but some argue there is a trust problem here with respect to the water companies and their regulator 0fwat. we have seen this money go to dividends, which is money that could have been spent on infrastructure, but also they have a very complex system, some of the infrastructure companies, and we don't know if we put more money into the system it won'tjust disappear into more payment of debts and dividends. that is part of the big problem, the structure we have, is this lack of transparency, and we don't know that more payments of bills would notjust be paying for old debts. climate change makes ground harder and less absorbent in summer,

and makes rainfall worse in winter, which will increase the likelihood of sewage overspills. the big question is whether we have a water system that is both financially and structurally equipped to cope, and which can be trusted to act in all of our interests, as both consumers and communities. let's speak to environmental campaigner feargal sharkey and conservative mp philip dunne who is also the chair of the envrionemtal audit select committee. welcome both of you. feargal sharkey, the minister says when the conservatives came to power in 2010 we were measuring 7% of storm flows in england. chuckles why are you laughing? chuckles wh are ou lau~ahin? ., , why are you laughing? he forgets that when they — why are you laughing? he forgets that when they went _ why are you laughing? he forgets that when they went to _ why are you laughing? he forgets that when they went to power - why are you laughing? he forgets| that when they went to power they were taken to the european court of justice in 2012 and found guilty of breaking the law by allowing water companies to dump sewage into the environment in this country outside of exceptional situations. that's an

incredibly rare, unique, freak one off event. no reason to be monitoring any of this at all. it is a smoke screen. it shouldn't be happening. they seem to forget that. we had heavy rain for last year. that's one of the reasons. the sixth wettest year on record. because in england we measure 100% of storm flows that's why the numbers have gone up. i flows that's why the numbers have one u -. , ., flows that's why the numbers have u-oneu. , ., ., ., , gone up. iwill repeat again. it is in exceptional _ gone up. iwill repeat again. it is in exceptional circumstances. . gone up. i will repeat again. it is . in exceptional circumstances. heavy rain sibley does not qualify. we live on an island in the middle of the atlantic, there is nothing exceptional about 3.6 million hours of sewage being dumped into our rivers. —— heavy rain simply does not qualify. the money they took and put on dividends should have been put on dividends should have been put into infrastructure. who put on dividends should have been put into infrastructure.— put on dividends should have been put into infrastructure. who or what is resmnsible _ put into infrastructure. who or what is responsible in _ put into infrastructure. who or what is responsible in your _ put into infrastructure. who or what is responsible in your view? - put into infrastructure. who or what is responsible in your view? this - is responsible in your view? this boils down _ is responsible in your view? this boils down to — is responsible in your view? this boils down to the _ is responsible in your view? ti 3 boils down to the simple idea is responsible in your view? ti 1 boils down to the simple idea of lack of political oversight, a chaotic response to it, the regulatory system failed entirely,

and the water companies themselves have learned that they can profit from pollution and do so almost with impunity. from pollution and do so almost with imuni . �* , , , impunity. let's bring in philip. i wonder if you accept _ impunity. let's bring in philip. i wonder if you accept that - impunity. let's bring in philip. i wonder if you accept that over i wonder if you accept that over 1a years the conservative government has completely failed to sort this out? , ., ., has completely failed to sort this out? ,., ., ., ., has completely failed to sort this out? ., ., ,, ., ~ , out? good evening. feargal sharkey and i aaree out? good evening. feargal sharkey and i agree this _ out? good evening. feargal sharkey and i agree this is _ out? good evening. feargal sharkey and i agree this is an _ out? good evening. feargal sharkey and i agree this is an unacceptable l and i agree this is an unacceptable situation — and i agree this is an unacceptable situation. we may disagree on what is the _ situation. we may disagree on what is the right— situation. we may disagree on what is the right prescription to guide with _ is the right prescription to guide with the — is the right prescription to guide with. the case he referred to was actually— with. the case he referred to was actually started by the european court _ actually started by the european court in — actually started by the european court in 2009 under the previous labour_ court in 2009 under the previous labour administration and successive governments, for 60 years, have chom— governments, for 60 years, have chosen not — governments, for 60 years, have chosen not to invest in our super rigid _ chosen not to invest in our super rigid networks underground at the same _ rigid networks underground at the same pace as we have been investing overgrounh — same pace as we have been investing overground. —— sewerage networks. this is_ overground. —— sewerage networks. this is an _ overground. —— sewerage networks. this is an awareness as a result of the monitoring, which you touched on. ., ., , ., the monitoring, which you touched on. ., ., ., , ,

on. that may or may not be true but it is a fact that — on. that may or may not be true but it is a fact that it — on. that may or may not be true but it is a fact that it is _ on. that may or may not be true but it is a fact that it is your _ it is a fact that it is your government that has been in power for 1h years. and it gives direction to 0fwat. and the environment agency is a government department so i would like to ask you again, do you accept your government has also failed to sort this out?— failed to sort this out? what i acce -t is failed to sort this out? what i accept is this _ failed to sort this out? what i accept is this government - failed to sort this out? what i j accept is this government has failed to sort this out? what i - accept is this government has done more _ accept is this government has done more in _ accept is this government has done more in this— accept is this government has done more in this parliament to address this issue — more in this parliament to address this issue than any previous government. i do accept that not enough _ government. i do accept that not enough was done in the previous 20, 30 years. _ enough was done in the previous 20, 30 years, but in this parliament we've _ 30 years, but in this parliament we've introduced the plan for water, the storm _ we've introduced the plan for water, the storm overflows reduction plan. we've _ the storm overflows reduction plan. we've persuaded the water companies to prioritise _ we've persuaded the water companies to prioritise sorting out water treatment through the strategic guidance given to 0fwat by the previous— guidance given to 0fwat by the previous secretary of state and that is leading _ previous secretary of state and that is leading to a tripling of capital investment in sorting out this problem _ investment in sorting out this problem by all of the water companies in this parliament and in the next _ companies in this parliament and in the next which is currently being

consulted — the next which is currently being consulted on.— the next which is currently being consulted on. this sounds like you are suggesting _ consulted on. this sounds like you are suggesting that _ consulted on. this sounds like you are suggesting that customers - consulted on. this sounds like you i are suggesting that customers should almost be grateful that it is only 3.6 million hours worth of sewage being poured into our rivers because if you hadn't done what your government said it would be more. i'm not being complacent about this at alt _ i'm not being complacent about this at alt it's_ i'm not being complacent about this at all. it's clear we have to invest through— at all. it's clear we have to invest through the — at all. it's clear we have to invest through the water companies billions of pounds _ through the water companies billions of pounds to sort this problem out and take _ of pounds to sort this problem out and take decades. the reason why we have had _ and take decades. the reason why we have had such significant spillages may he _ have had such significant spillages may he to — have had such significant spillages may be to do with significant rainfall— may be to do with significant rainfall in 23 compared to 22 but the fundamental problem is we have an ageing _ the fundamental problem is we have an ageing infrastructure that isn't fit for— an ageing infrastructure that isn't fit for purpose... may an ageing infrastructure that isn't fit for purpose. . ._ fit for purpose... may intervene? this overlooks _ fit for purpose... may intervene? this overlooks a _ fit for purpose... may intervene? this overlooks a very _ fit for purpose... may intervene? this overlooks a very simple - fit for purpose... may intervene? | this overlooks a very simple fact. all this government needed to do was simply enforce the law as it stands. this monitoring does nothing but create a smoke screen and a

process... create a smoke screen and a process- - -— create a smoke screen and a process... create a smoke screen and a rocess... ., ., , . ., ., process... how does it create a smoke screen? _ process... how does it create a smoke screen? it _ process... how does it create a smoke screen? it means - process... how does it create a smoke screen? it means that l process... how does it create a l smoke screen? it means that we now know how many hours and why the biggest criminal investigation is going forward... pare biggest criminal investigation is going forward. . ._ biggest criminal investigation is going forward... are two things, it shouldn't be _ going forward... are two things, it shouldn't be happening _ going forward... are two things, it shouldn't be happening at - going forward. .. are two things, it shouldn't be happening at all- going forward... are two things, it shouldn't be happening at all in i going forward... are two things, it | shouldn't be happening at all in the first place, the law says that and that was confirmed by the high court last year. in terms of the cost, let me remind everyone of what has been confirmed, we've already provided all of the funding to water companies for 33 years for them to build a properly functioning sewage system. the question they should be asking is, where has our money gone, what has happened to it, when can we get a refund? it has become a legitimised rip—off. get a refund? it has become a legitimised rip-off.— get a refund? it has become a legitimised rip-off. philip, i'm not askin: ou legitimised rip-off. philip, i'm not asking you to _ legitimised rip-off. philip, i'm not asking you to speak— legitimised rip-off. philip, i'm not asking you to speak on _ legitimised rip-off. philip, i'm not asking you to speak on behalf of. legitimised rip-off. philip, i'm not l asking you to speak on behalf of the water companies, absolutely not, nor willie on behalf of your government although it is your government who has been in powerfor14 years, do you know where our money is gone? —— nor on behalf. aha, you know where our money is gone? -- nor on iaehalf-—

nor on behalf. a huge amount has been invested _ nor on behalf. a huge amount has been invested over _ nor on behalf. a huge amount has been invested over this _ nor on behalf. a huge amount has been invested over this period - nor on behalf. a huge amount hasj been invested over this period but nor on behalf. a huge amount has l been invested over this period but a great _ been invested over this period but a great deal— been invested over this period but a great deal more needs to be invested. 0ur committee has been at the forefront of raising this issue in parliament and encouraging the government to make the plans and the requirements on the regulators to be more _ requirements on the regulators to be more rigorous. just to pick up on feargal— more rigorous. just to pick up on feargal sharkey's point and the point _ feargal sharkey's point and the point you — feargal sharkey's point and the point you made about investigations, you are _ point you made about investigations, you are quite right, there are 2300 alleged _ you are quite right, there are 2300 alleged permit breach is being investigated by the regulators right now. investigated by the regulators right now they— investigated by the regulators right now. they have been doing it for over— now. they have been doing it for over a _ now. they have been doing it for over a year~ _ now. they have been doing it for over a year. they are due to report this summer~ — over a year. they are due to report this summer. for feargal to say all they need — this summer. for feargal to say all they need to do is obey the law, it's not— they need to do is obey the law, it's not that simple, in order to prove _ it's not that simple, in order to prove they've breached the law it is taking _ prove they've breached the law it is taking the — prove they've breached the law it is taking the regulators 18 months and that's— taking the regulators 18 months and that's why— taking the regulators 18 months and that's why we haven't got there and that's— that's why we haven't got there and that's why— that's why we haven't got there and that's why the government has provided — that's why the government has provided more resources to the environment agency, an extra 500 people, — environment agency, an extra 500 people, to _ environment agency, an extra 500 people, to focus on this issue. feargal— people, to focus on this issue. feargal sharkey, can i put this to you? in wales the water company is run for the benefit of customers and

there are no shareholders. it is a not—for—profit organisation. they also have polluted rivers. they released sewage into rivers lakes and seas for almost 600,000 hours in 2022. , , ., , , and seas for almost 600,000 hours in 2022. ,, ., i, ., 2022. the simple reality is that the nucleus of this _ 2022. the simple reality is that the nucleus of this is _ 2022. the simple reality is that the nucleus of this is that _ 2022. the simple reality is that the nucleus of this is that it _ 2022. the simple reality is that the nucleus of this is that it is - 2022. the simple reality is that the nucleus of this is that it is a - nucleus of this is that it is a chaotic political response to a failure of regulation. that is what is at the core of it. that is what needs to be acknowledged and we need to get away from measuring stuff that shouldn't be happening and actually deal with the real issue, we've already paid the water companies for a service we didn't receive and i cannot think of any reason why we would want to put another penny or certainly pay twice for a service we didn't get the first time around.— for a service we didn't get the first time around. thank you very much to both _ first time around. thank you very much to both of _ first time around. thank you very much to both of you. _ greater manchester police have announced that they will review their decision not to investigate an allegation relating to angela rayner and her living

arrangements before she became an mp in 2015. conservative deputy chairmanjames daly wrote to gmp and accused them of failing to carry out a full investigation. nick, you interviewed her last week, what's going on? so as you say we heard from greater manchester police this evening they are reviewing their decision not to investigate an allegation as you say, by the conservative deputy chairman, that is related to whether angela rayner complied with electoral law, around registering herself on the electoral role in stockport before she came an mp in 2015. there has been a lot of focus off the back of a new biography by the former conservative treasurer lord ashcroft around whether she

complied with tax laws, when she sold a property she owned in stockport between 2007 and 2015. last week she told me she has been a victim of a smear. but last week she told me she has been a victim of a smear.— victim of a smear. but look i have been very clear _ victim of a smear. but look i have been very clear there was - victim of a smear. but look i have| been very clear there was no rules broken t _ been very clear there was no rules broken t police, they tried to manufacture a police investigation, they said _ manufacture a police investigation, they said there is no issues there, i they said there is no issues there, i got tax _ they said there is no issues there, i got tax advice which says there was no _ i got tax advice which says there was no capital gains tax, it is a non—story, manufactured to try and smear— non—story, manufactured to try and smear me. — non—story, manufactured to try and smear me, but at the same time, you have got the _ smear me, but at the same time, you have got the chancellor in the budget— have got the chancellor in the budget making snide jokes at the dispatch— budget making snide jokes at the dispatch box while many working people are struggling with their bills, _ people are struggling with their bills, and he forgot he had seven luxury flats conveniently. now the initial complaint from _ luxury flats conveniently. now the initial complaint from james dalyl initial complaint from james daly to greater manchester police on 25th january is not related to tax, as i was saying it is related as to whether she complied with the law round registering to vote. he made that come plate after the mail on sunday reporting on the lord ashcroft biography reported that ms rainer was registered to vote at her property in vicarage road until 2015. the paper said she switched her registration to her husband's stockport home, in 2015. but the paper also quoted neighbours as

saying she moved out of her vicarage road road property in 2009 and listed her husband's address when she reregistered the birth of her children she has described her property, the vicarage road home at her principle house, she did say she spent time at her husband's home. in his initial letter to the police, mr daily questioned whether she had complied with electoral law related to the address you have trow give on the electoral road. he cited from the electoral road. he cited from the people'll acts, that makes clear a person for who a person who for any purpose connected with registration of election provides any false information is guilty of any false information is guilty of an offence. 50 any false information is guilty of an offence-— any false information is guilty of an offence. ., ., . an offence. so what do the police do? after receiving _ an offence. so what do the police do? after receiving that - an offence. so what do the police do? after receiving that initial- do? after receiving that initial complaint _ do? after receiving that initial complaint from _ do? after receiving that initial complaint from james - do? after receiving that initial complaint from james daly i do? after receiving that initial- complaint from james daly on 25th february, the police conducted what is known as an investigative review, thatis is known as an investigative review, that is a review of the legislation related to the allegation. and then

that i wrote to mr daily on 12th march and said no action would be taken. so he wrote back and said wait a taken. so he wrote back and said waita minute, don't taken. so he wrote back and said wait a minute, don't you need to do more than examining legal text, don't you need to carry out an investigation because there are people quoted by name in newspapers saying that she lived at her husband's house and not at the house where she was registered to vote. and so the police are now reviewing their decision, and tomorrow, angela rayner, she is due to launch labour's local election campaign with sir keir starmer, so maybe some more questions. with sir keir starmer, so maybe some more questions-— why are so many autistic people and those with learning disabilities still locked up in mental health facilities — when at least some of them shouldn't be? back in 2019, the government backed a plan to halve the number of those in inpatient care relative to 2015 levels. that target has been missed and 53% of those patients have been in for over two years. bbc panorama first shone a light on some the treatment of people with learning disabilities

and autistic people in a private hospital, back in 2011. let's talk to alexis quinn. winter born seems to have stopped caring. winter born seems to have stopped carina. , , ., , winter born seems to have stopped carina. , , .,, ~ caring. this is the worst kind of institutional _ caring. this is the worst kind of institutional care, _ caring. this is the worst kind of institutional care, it _ caring. this is the worst kind of institutional care, it is - caring. this is the worst kind of institutional care, it is the - caring. this is the worst kind of institutional care, it is the kind| institutional care, it is the kind of thing that was prevalent at the end of the 60s and that led britain to gradually close the large long stay institutions. you're hurting me! get the police on you. assaults at you. — assaults at winterbourne alexis is autistic and spent three

years in an assessment and treatment unit. she says she was restrained 97 times and forcibly drugged. than you very much for coming in to newsnight. why did you become an inpatient? mr; newsnight. why did you become an inatient? g , ., ., inpatient? my brother died, and you know, for inpatient? my brother died, and you know. for all— inpatient? my brother died, and you know, for all of _ inpatient? my brother died, and you know, for all of the _ inpatient? my brother died, and you know, for all of the 2000 _ inpatient? my brother died, and you know, for all of the 2000 odd - inpatient? my brother died, and you| know, for all of the 2000 odd people like me, you would expect to have some care, some treatment, support, compassion, so maybe speech and language therapy, maybe sensory support, maybe psychotherapy but none of those things happened and what we get instead is that barbaric treatment as you have outlined. so what happened to

we know there are people in them for 20 years and it to eat with my hands, i would be fed through a hatch, there is nobody there. it is has been described as

torture. ., , ., ., there. it is has been described as torture-_ so i there. it is has been described as| torture-_ so i torture. how did you get out? so i had to escape. _ torture. how did you get out? so i had to escape, so _ torture. how did you get out? so i had to escape, so back _ torture. how did you get out? so i had to escape, so back in - torture. how did you get out? so i had to escape, so back in 2016, i i had to escape, so back in 2016, i escaped the system, the mental health system. i had been detained for another year and i couldn't go on so i left the country. you for another year and i couldn't go on so i left the country.— on so i left the country. you left the country- _ on so i left the country. you left the country- l — on so i left the country. you left the country. i left _ on so i left the country. you left the country. i left the _ on so i left the country. you left the country. i left the country, | the country. i left the country, ursued the country. i left the country, pursued by — the country. i left the country, pursued by police _ the country. i left the country, pursued by police helicopter l the country. i left the country, l pursued by police helicopter and they even contacted me in tanzania after i landed in nigeria to try and get me deported.— get me deported. goodness me. so when you _ get me deported. goodness me. so when you hear— get me deported. goodness me. so when you hear that _ get me deported. goodness me. so when you hear that the - get me deported. goodness me. - so when you hear that the government has missed its target to reduce the numbers of autistic people and people with learning disabilities from such units, what do you think? well, i think lots of thing, i think first of all, you know, this target is necessary, you know, it is needed but i think that we are measuring the wrong things i think that the problem starts in the community and

it end with the community, there is no community provision, so when they are talking about improving it they are talking about improving it they are starting from a baseline of very much nothing, and what we are having is discharging people, you know, they will see it a as success, you know, if we reduce it to a thousand or500, but know, if we reduce it to a thousand or 500, but people were being discharged to suicide, to homelessness, they are being discharged to you know, criminalisation, in the criminal justice system, so we know that these things are happening so if we want to really truly reduce these bed numberers what we need to do is invest a huge am of money and resource into the community, so that people don't end up in these barbaric institutions which are overflowing, where staff, they, there is is a lack of staff, a lang of understanding, there is a lack of compassion because of those thing, people are struggling to cope. the government says we have made significant progress in reducing the number, they say but we know there is more to do, and...— number, they say but we know there is more to do, and... there has been an increase. — is more to do, and... there has been an increase, there _ is more to do, and... there has been an increase, there has _ is more to do, and... there has been an increase, there has been - is more to do, and... there has been an increase, there has been an - an increase, there has been an increase in the number of autistic people and they congratulate about the decrease for people with

learning disability but we know they are being discharged to institution where you have ten members of staff waiting to pounce on somebody who don't go out and they have less that the provision is there. just to | say what they say the government saysin say what they say the government says in 20234 we invested an extra 121 million and the nhs says it is making progress to invest in community support, the number of mental health patients with these conditions has fallen by 30 summers since 2015. thank you very much for coming on and talking toing to our audience. . ., coming on and talking toing to our audience. ., ,, , ., thank you. a rural french town just a stone's throw from the swiss border was the location of choice for the far right national rally�*s second stop on the campaign trail to the european elections. keen to build on the growing success they've enjoyed in recent years, particularly with young voters,

their leader — marine le pen's young protegejordan bardella — is slick, charismatic and embodies the transformation the former national front is keen to promote. newsnight�*s mark urban has been to the industrial town of monbayard to speak to people there about why the far right appeals to them montbeliard in thejura, one of those places on the mountainous fringes of france. a borderland close to germany and switzerland, where invading armies once marched to be replaced more recently by flows outward ofjobs, investment and people. what you've got here is typical of what they call a france profonde, deep france, these rural areas where job losses, economic dislocation, unhappiness with the way things are, have created opportunities.

0n the far left, its true, but mainly for the far right. the question is whether in these elections they'll make really substantial gains and change the political game in france. christian corouge worked at the peugeot car plant for decades. now it's largely closed. he's trying to organise resistance to the far right, a different national community. these days, the national front calls itself the national rally. this man is among their local militants or activists under the leadership of marine le pen. and jordan bardella, the party's new talent who's coming to montbeliard.

vincent le brun teaches politics at the nearby besancon university. he's charted the growth in the far right vote in successive elections, as voters for centrist parties increasingly abstain. friday was sale day on montbeliard's main shopping street.

the stock clearance and spring sunshine brought plenty of people out searching for a bargain. many here feel they've lost their sense of security, both economic and from crime. flaviejacquot is a floating voter who wants to feel safe again. at montbeliard's concert hall, the crowds gather. quentin, the young activist is thrilled. thousands of people. for decades, many french thought of this as a far right party, a racist party. so what they've done is to rebrand it, changing the name six years ago and now increasingly trying

new messages and new faces like jordan bardella. and here, at least, it's drawing the crowds. across town, a counter—demonstration christian is there, along with friends from the unions and supporters of the far left party. it's clear, though, that those objecting tojordan bardella's presence here are considerably outnumbered. finally the moment arrives, thousands greet the national rally�*s bright new hope. the party president, just 28 years old, and now spearheading campaigning forjune's european elections.

the morning after the

rally and the regular saturday food market springs up outside the venue. of course, the far right can get votes, but as the recent dutch elections or past european ones show, that doesn't mean anyone else is ready to do political business with them. but the more people who feel it's just not worth voting, the greater the chance s for the national rally. —— the greater the chance is for the national rally. so the right gets ready to harvest votes here and across this country. as to whether that can amount to more than a protest movement, that'll be up tojordan bardella and the others elected to the european parliament. misogyny, sexual discrimination and harassment are still everyday problems forfemale musicians in the uk, a new report has found.

6,000 music industry professionals were surveyed, including 2,526 women. the report said women are paid less than men, and often experience shorter careers, despite being trained and educated to a higher level. it also says a third of women in the music industry have been sexually harassed at work, with many reporting it as a barrier to their career. on average, women earn 10% less than their male counterparts, with an average annual income of £19,850 compared to £21,750 for men. the findings come from the first ever uk musicians' census, conducted by the musicians' union and help musicians. genn is a maltese band now based in brighton, have a listen. # losing yourself over sleepless sleep #.

and two of the band — leane zammitt and janelle borj — are here, alongside sharissa saveiro who is dj rap who has been working in the music industry for decades — and was one of the pioneers of thejungle and drum—n—bass genres. welcome all of you, thank you for being with us. you've been in this industry a long time. have you experienced predatory behaviour? its experienced predatory behaviour? it; really interesting because i have but never within the music industry. for me it is a safe place. i don't have that. i've never experienced it. ithink have that. i've never experienced it. i think sexism exists everywhere and it is something that, you know, you walk home, you have your keys out, this is the way we are, we have to think of all of those things. in the drum and bass and jungle scene it feels like a family and i don't have that. i think i've only had one experience abroad because i lived in america for 22 years when they promoted did end up in my hotel room

and i called my agent and i was, like, they are in the hotel room, and they said, he's just harmless and they said, he's just harmless and obviously i left that agent. that's the only time in a 40 year career to be fair.— that's the only time in a 40 year career to be fair. what about you to? it's career to be fair. what about you to? it's an _ career to be fair. what about you to? it's an interesting _ career to be fair. what about you to? it's an interesting one - career to be fair. what about you i to? it's an interesting one because i think we have _ to? it's an interesting one because i think we have been _ to? it's an interesting one because i think we have been at _ to? it's an interesting one because i think we have been at this - to? it's an interesting one because i think we have been at this for- to? it's an interesting one because i think we have been at this for a i i think we have been at this for a short— i think we have been at this for a short amount of time but i think having _ short amount of time but i think having experienced it in multiple countries, — having experienced it in multiple countries, as well, we have definitely seen different versions of being — definitely seen different versions of being treated differently and... because _ of being treated differently and... because you are women? yes. unfortunately _ because you are women? yes. unfortunately we _ because you are women? yes. unfortunately we had - because you are women? yes. unfortunately we had a - because you are women? yes. unfortunately we had a lot - because you are women? yes. unfortunately we had a lot of l unfortunately we had a lot of instances _ unfortunately we had a lot of instances ranging _ unfortunately we had a lot of instances ranging from - unfortunately we had a lot ofl instances ranging from people unfortunately we had a lot of - instances ranging from people that we were _ instances ranging from people that we were in— instances ranging from people that we were in dance _ instances ranging from people that we were in dance with, _ instances ranging from people that we were in dance with, you - instances ranging from people that we were in dance with, you know, i we were in dance with, you know, passing _ we were in dance with, you know, passing comment. _ we were in dance with, you know, passing comment, or— we were in dance with, you know, passing comment, or having - we were in dance with, you know, l passing comment, or having people tell you. _ passing comment, or having people tell you. like. — passing comment, or having people tell you. like. you _ passing comment, or having people tell you, like, you are _ passing comment, or having people tell you, like, you are good - passing comment, or having people tell you, like, you are good for- passing comment, or having people tell you, like, you are good for a . tell you, like, you are good for a female _ tell you, like, you are good for a female guitarist _ tell you, like, you are good for a female guitarist or— tell you, like, you are good for a female guitarist or you - tell you, like, you are good for a female guitarist or you are - tell you, like, you are good for a female guitarist or you are good| tell you, like, you are good for a i female guitarist or you are good for a female _ female guitarist or you are good for a female bassist. _ female guitarist or you are good for a female bassist.— a female bassist. people trying to climb onto the _

a female bassist. people trying to climb onto the stage _ a female bassist. people trying to climb onto the stage to _ a female bassist. people trying to climb onto the stage to touch - a female bassist. people trying to | climb onto the stage to touch you, that kind _ climb onto the stage to touch you, that kind of— climb onto the stage to touch you, that kind of thing.— that kind of thing. unfortunately. i don't think we _ that kind of thing. unfortunately. i don't think we get _ that kind of thing. unfortunately. i don't think we get it _ that kind of thing. unfortunately. i don't think we get it as _ that kind of thing. unfortunately. i don't think we get it as much - that kind of thing. unfortunately. i don't think we get it as much now| don't think we get it as much now because _ don't think we get it as much now because there _ don't think we get it as much now because there is _ don't think we get it as much now because there is more _ don't think we get it as much now because there is more awarenessj don't think we get it as much now - because there is more awareness but it is more _ because there is more awareness but it is more subtle _ because there is more awareness but it is more subtle sometimes- because there is more awareness but it is more subtle sometimes and - because there is more awareness but it is more subtle sometimes and like| it is more subtle sometimes and like you are _ it is more subtle sometimes and like you are saying. — it is more subtle sometimes and like you are saying, when _ it is more subtle sometimes and like you are saying, when it _ it is more subtle sometimes and like you are saying, when it comes- it is more subtle sometimes and like you are saying, when it comes to - you are saying, when it comes to being _ you are saying, when it comes to being paid. — you are saying, when it comes to being paid. put— you are saying, when it comes to being paid. put on— you are saying, when it comes to being paid, put on certain- you are saying, when it comes to i being paid, put on certain line—ups, there— being paid, put on certain line—ups, there is— being paid, put on certain line—ups, there is still— being paid, put on certain line—ups, there is still that _ being paid, put on certain line—ups, there is still that glass _ being paid, put on certain line—ups, there is still that glass ceiling - there is still that glass ceiling unfortunately— there is still that glass ceiling unfortunately in _ there is still that glass ceiling unfortunately in the - there is still that glass ceiling unfortunately in the guitar- there is still that glass ceiling i unfortunately in the guitar world where. — unfortunately in the guitar world where. you _ unfortunately in the guitar world where, you know, _ unfortunately in the guitar world where, you know, there - unfortunately in the guitar world where, you know, there are i unfortunately in the guitar world where, you know, there are in l where, you know, there are in general— where, you know, there are in general less _ where, you know, there are in general less women. - where, you know, there are in general less women. i- where, you know, there are in general less women.— general less women. i think it de-ends general less women. i think it depends on — general less women. i think it depends on the _ general less women. i think it depends on the scene - general less women. i think it depends on the scene as i general less women. i think it depends on the scene as well| general less women. i think it - depends on the scene as well because we've _ depends on the scene as well because we've definitely... i would say fortunately we have built a fan base over the _ fortunately we have built a fan base over the years we've been active that are — over the years we've been active that are quite like... i think good people _ that are quite like... i think good people but— that are quite like... i think good people but then we know experiences from other— people but then we know experiences from other females in the industry who are _ from other females in the industry who are in different genres and have also, _ who are in different genres and have also. like. _ who are in different genres and have also, like, you know, the stories are shocking. also, like, you know, the stories are shocking-— are shocking. literally shocking. you are talking _ are shocking. literally shocking. you are talking about _ are shocking. literally shocking. you are talking about fellow- you are talking about fellow musicians being potentially sexist saying, not bad for a woman,

essentially. you are talking about spectators, the crowd, getting on stage to touch you. and pay differentials, is that a thing? yes. differentials, is that a thing? yes, unfortunately. _ differentials, is that a thing? yes, unfortunately, as _ differentials, is that a thing? yes, unfortunately, as i _ differentials, is that a thing? yes, unfortunately, as i said, _ differentials, is that a thing? yes, unfortunately, as i said, in - differentials, is that a thing? yes, unfortunately, as i said, in the guitar— unfortunately, as i said, in the guitar world _ unfortunately, as i said, in the guitar world it— unfortunately, as i said, in the guitar world it is— unfortunately, as i said, in the guitar world it is completely. guitar world it is completely different _ guitar world it is completely different. we _ guitar world it is completely different. we were - guitar world it is completely. different. we were discussing guitar world it is completely- different. we were discussing this backstage — different. we were discussing this backstage. sometimes— different. we were discussing this backstage. sometimes you - different. we were discussing this backstage. sometimes you don'tl different. we were discussing this. backstage. sometimes you don't get put on _ backstage. sometimes you don't get put on the _ backstage. sometimes you don't get put on the roster— backstage. sometimes you don't get put on the roster because _ backstage. sometimes you don't get put on the roster because there i backstage. sometimes you don't get put on the roster because there is i put on the roster because there is already— put on the roster because there is already a — put on the roster because there is already a female _ put on the roster because there is already a female or— put on the roster because there is already a female or all—female i put on the roster because there is i already a female or all—female band, even though— already a female or all—female band, even though that _ already a female or all—female band, even though that term _ already a female or all—female band, even though that term is _ even though that term is exclusionary. _ even though that term is exclusionary.— even though that term is exclusionary. even though that term is exclusiona . , ., ., exclusionary. they cannot have too many females? — exclusionary. they cannot have too many females? yes. _ exclusionary. they cannot have too many females? yes. we've - exclusionary. they cannot have too many females? yes. we've seen . exclusionary. they cannot have too l many females? yes. we've seen this with a lot of — many females? yes. we've seen this with a lot of festival _ many females? yes. we've seen this with a lot of festival line-ups. - with a lot of festival line—ups. there — with a lot of festival line—ups. there was— with a lot of festival line—ups. there was a _ with a lot of festival line—ups. there was a lot _ with a lot of festival line—ups. there was a lot of _ with a lot of festival line—ups. there was a lot of outcry- with a lot of festival line—ups. there was a lot of outcry lastl with a lot of festival line—ups. i there was a lot of outcry last year with bigger— there was a lot of outcry last year with bigger festivals _ there was a lot of outcry last year with bigger festivals not - there was a lot of outcry last year with bigger festivals not having i there was a lot of outcry last year. with bigger festivals not having any female _ with bigger festivals not having any female artists _ with bigger festivals not having any female artists at _ with bigger festivals not having any female artists at the _ with bigger festivals not having any female artists at the top. _ female artists at the top. thankfully— female artists at the top. thankfully that's - female artists at the top. i thankfully that's changing bit female artists at the top. - thankfully that's changing bit by bit but _ thankfully that's changing bit by bit but there _ thankfully that's changing bit by bit but there is _ thankfully that's changing bit by bit but there is still— thankfully that's changing bit by bit but there is still a _ thankfully that's changing bit by bit but there is still a very- thankfully that's changing bit by bit but there is still a very long i bit but there is still a very long way to— bit but there is still a very long way to go— bit but there is still a very long way to go in— bit but there is still a very long way to go in the _ bit but there is still a very long way to go in the guitar- bit but there is still a very long way to go in the guitar world. i bit but there is still a very longl way to go in the guitar world. pi. bit but there is still a very long i way to go in the guitar world. pi. loft way to go in the guitar world. a lot ofthat way to go in the guitar world. a lot of that comes _ way to go in the guitar world. a lot of that comes to _ way to go in the guitar world. a lot of that comes to the _ way to go in the guitar world. of that comes to the pigeonholing because _ of that comes to the pigeonholing because we are all females. there

has been — because we are all females. there has been this assumption that you must _ has been this assumption that you must be _ has been this assumption that you must be a — has been this assumption that you must be a riot girl band because you are all. _ must be a riot girl band because you are all. like. — must be a riot girl band because you are all, like, feminine presenting, 'ust are all, like, feminine presenting, just conversations like that, you know, _ just conversations like that, you know, we've already booked a riot lii'l know, we've already booked a riot girl act _ know, we've already booked a riot girl act so — know, we've already booked a riot girl act so we don't need another thing _ girl act so we don't need another thing this — girl act so we don't need another thing. this king of the hill mentality, you know? let's play a cli of mentality, you know? let's play a clip of you. _ mentality, you know? let's play a clip of you. dj. — mentality, you know? let's play a clip of you, dj, let's _ mentality, you know? let's play a clip of you, dj, let's have - mentality, you know? let's play a clip of you, dj, let's have a i mentality, you know? let's play a clip of you, dj, let's have a look l clip of you, dj, let's have a look at this. # ..rapper general # well if you need some life in your party — call we # we give gyal the vibe # definitely gonna give them a grand finale # when we see...# do you know if you get paid the same as male djs?— as male djs? here is the thing. generally the _ as male djs? here is the thing. generally the female _ as male djs? here is the thing. generally the female djs i as male djs? here is the thing. generally the female djs get i as male djs? here is the thing. l generally the female djs get 2596 generally the female djs get 25% less. ~ , i generally the female djs get 25% less-- l was _ generally the female djs get 25% less.- i was speaking i generally the female djs get 25% less. mh?? i was speaking to my less. why? i was speaking to my arent less. why? i was speaking to my agent about _ less. why? i was speaking to my agent about this. _ less. why? i was speaking to my agent about this. when - less. why? i was speaking to my agent about this. when i - less. why? i was speaking to my agent about this. when i was signed to sony i was earning more than all of my male counterparts. the techno

djs and the female djs cleaning up, often earning more than the male djs, so i've been at the spectrum where, you know, you've got to look at it from the promoters' point of view, you've got to be able to put bums on seats. what a promoter looks at is do you have a good social media presence, are you able to draw ticket income i am a promoter and the first thing i do is ask my agent, who will sell tickets, who will promote the night, who is popular? if you've been making records for a really long time, 0k, and you've put all of the work in, and you've put all of the work in, and then somebody has to put on a fee female dj to tick a box, is that fair? in fee female dj to tick a box, is that fair? . ., fee female dj to tick a box, is that fair? , ., . ., , , fee female dj to tick a box, is that fair? , ,., l fee female dj to tick a box, is that fair? ,., l , , fair? in some cases one dj is 'ust more popular? i fair? in some cases one dj is 'ust more popular? it i fair? in some cases one dj is 'ust more popular? it depends i fair? in some cases one dj is 'ust more popular? it depends oni fair? in some cases one dj isjust| more popular? it depends on your record, more popular? it depends on your record. your _ more popular? it depends on your record, your discography, - more popular? it depends on your record, your discography, what i record, your discography, what you've done. somebody like carl cox, he's doing the same as me but because they are in a different genre of the money is different, the

festivals are different. i